List of most high end analog active crossovers ever made.


Luxman A-2003 (tubes!)
Accuphase F-15L
Accuphase F-25
Sony TA-D88B 
Sony TA-D900
Yamaha EC-1
Pioneer D-23
Threshold...?
Pass Labs..?
Krell...?

Please contribute, current in production can be included, (no pro audio).

Thanks!

128x128cosmicjazz

I used a Marchand XM44 when I had Castle Winchester speakers and bi-amped them. Perfectly satisfactory, at least until I discovered ESLs!

Apogee utilized a "Dedicated Active Crossover" dubbed the DAX for its Diva speaker (large, planar magnetic speaker, sort of like Magneplanars).  I don't know about the specific contribution of the DAX and biamping, but, the system sounded quite good.

Wilson Audio have a couple, suitable for lower frequencies.

Wilson Audio - ActivXO and Watch Controller Active Sub-woofer Crossovers

 

I'll be that SPL is excellent. I wish it were: 1. Less expensive. 2. Had a wider choice of freq range to cross with 50-120 fairly narrow, could use a x10 feature

I used Threshold 1x and 10x crossovers with Focal Bass Drivers (2-10" Polyglass Drivers: Polyglass technology, exclusive to Focal, consists in applying molten glass microballs on a cellulose pulp cone), with Accuton midranges and tweeters. Pass designed Adcom GFA 535 II, GFA 545 II and GRA 555 II were the amplifiers. I was still using a well broken in Pioneer C-21 (look at the PCB board and the thick traces of very high quality as well as some of the best components one could buy but it took a very long 500hr + breaking time otherwise it was far too bright).

If you want to see the difference between most of the garbage today and true engineering prowess view www.thevintageknob.org/pioneer-C-21.html 

Lew, I think Roger Modjeski (who designed the electronics for Beveridge) has an updated/improved x/o for the 2SW, as well as a new dedicated direct-drive tube amp for the speaker.

I had the Dahlquitst DQ-LP1 for years, selling it only after I got a First Watt B4. The B4 is unbelievably versatile: high-pass and low-pass 1st/2nd/3rd/4th-order filters in 25Hz increments from 25Hz to 6375Hz. All discrete (Toshiba Jfets), no opamps or IC’s. Unfortunately, the B4 is no longer available assembled, only as a DIY kit. Nelson’s Pass x/o is even better, but sells for a lot more (the B4 listed for $1500).

I use the low pass section of the Dahlquist crossover, which uses active devices to provide an adjustable 18db per octave slope.  Mated with the active internal high pass filter on my Beveridge 2SW amplifier/speakers, the crossover point is "seamless".  As a general rule, most of the tube based crossovers, Marchand excepted, provide only a 6db per octave slope, like the ARC one.  Solid state crossovers are more likely to provide higher order slopes (12, 18, and/or 24 db per octave), typically. (There are exceptions to every rule.)
Way back in the 80's I had in house for an audition the Audio Research, but ended up buying the Mark Levinson LNC-2.
I always felt the later was an excellent performer.
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The Bryston 10b is no slouch....(I see it on the list now)

The pioneer units, and the nikko, and at least one sony (see those as well) unit can also go on the list, if they are internally upgraded. Marchand is also on the list, if the same is done. but many of these are in need of refurbishing, regardless.

oh yes, the audio research units, but they will also need refurbishment.